Display device

ABSTRACT

A display device includes a first substrate on which gate lines and data lines are disposed; a second substrate facing the first substrate; a pixel disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and connected to the gate line and the data line; a light blocking layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and defining a light emission area of the pixel; a polarizer on the second substrate; and a first pattern layer disposed on the polarizer, and comprising a plurality of first protruding portions. The number of first protruding portions that overlap the light emission area among the plurality of first protruding portions is in a range from 3 to 15. An angle between the data line and each of the plurality of first protruding portions is in a range from about 5 degrees to about 10 degrees.

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No.10-2018-0085169, filed on Jul. 23, 2018, and all the benefits accruingtherefrom under 35 U.S.C. § 119, the disclosure of which is incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Embodiments of the invention relate to a display device, and moreparticularly, to a display device capable of substantially minimizing oreffectively preventing the moiré phenomenon.

2. Description of Related Art

Liquid crystal display (“LCD”) devices are one of the most widely usedtypes of flat panel display (“FPD”) devices. An LCD device includes twosubstrates on which electrodes are disposed or formed and a liquidcrystal layer which is interposed therebetween.

An LCD device is a display device that adjusts the amount of transmittedlight by applying voltage to the two electrodes and rearranging liquidcrystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a display device capable ofsubstantially minimizing or effectively preventing the moiré phenomenon.

According to an embodiment, a display device includes: a displaysubstrate including: a display signal line provided in plurality; apixel connected to the display signal line and including a lightemission area; and a light blocking layer which defines the lightemission area of the pixel; a polarizer on the display substrate; and anoptical film which disposes the polarizer between the display substrateand the optical film, the optical film including a first pattern layerincluding a plurality of first protruding portions. Among the pluralityof first protruding portions within the optical film, a number of firstprotruding portions which overlaps the light emission area of the pixelis in a range from 3 to 15, and an angle between the display signal lineand each of the plurality of first protruding portions is in a rangefrom about 5 degrees to about degrees.

The angle may be measured in a counterclockwise direction from thedisplay signal line.

The first protruding portions may be arranged along a first direction,and each of the first protruding portions may extend along a seconddirection which intersects the first direction.

An upper surface of at least one of the first protruding portions mayhave a concavo-convex shape.

A distal end of a first protruding portion may include: a first edge anda second edge facing each other along the first direction, a firstprojection and a second projection respectively protruding from thefirst and second edges to be spaced apart from each other along thefirst direction, and a recess defined between the first and secondprojections spaced apart from each other, where an upper surface of thefirst protruding portion at the recess thereof may have a concavo-convexshape which extends along the second direction.

The concavo-convex shape of the upper surface may include a concaveportion and a convex portion alternating along the second direction.

Distances along the first direction between first protruding portionsadjacent to each other may be the same as each other.

Each of the first protruding portions may have a trapezoidal shape, aparabolic shape or a semicircular shape in cross-section.

The plurality of display signal lines may include a gate line and a dataline which intersect each other, the angle in the range from about 5degrees to about 10 degrees may be defined between the data line andeach of the plurality of first protruding portions, and the lightemission area may include a first sub-light emission area and a secondsub-light emission area which is larger than the first sub-lightemission area, the first and second sub-light emission areas beingarranged along a length extension direction of the data line. The pixelmay further include a first sub-pixel electrode corresponding to thefirst sub-light emission area; a second sub-pixel electrodecorresponding to the second sub-light emission area; a first sustainelectrode overlapping the first sub-pixel electrode; a second sustainelectrode overlapping the second sub-pixel electrode; a first switchingelement connected to the gate line, the data line, and the firstsub-pixel electrode; a second switching element connected to the gateline, the first switching element, and the second sub-pixel electrode;and a third switching element connected to the gate line, the secondswitching element, the first sustain electrode, and the second sustainelectrode. A drain electrode of the third switching element may beconnected to the first and second sustain electrodes and may overlap acenter portion of the first sub-pixel electrode and a center portion ofthe second sub-pixel electrode.

An angle between each of the first protruding portions and a lengthextension direction of the drain electrode of the third switchingelement may be in a range from about 5 degrees to about 10 degrees.

The angle between each of the first protruding portions and the drainelectrode may be measured in a counterclockwise direction from the drainelectrode.

The optical film may further include a second pattern layer whichdisposes the first pattern layer between the polarizer and the secondpattern layer, the second pattern layer having a refractive indexdifferent from a refractive index of the first pattern layer.

The second pattern layer may include a plurality of second protrudingportions which protrude toward the first pattern layer.

Within the first pattern layer, the first protruding portions may bearranged along a first direction, and each of the first protrudingportions may extend along a second direction which intersects the firstdirection. The first protruding portions and the second protrudingportions may be arranged in an alternating manner along the firstdirection.

According to an embodiment, a display device includes: a display panelincluding: a gate line and a data line which intersect each other; and apixel including a switching element connected to the gate line and thedata line, and a pixel electrode which is connected to the switchingelement; a polarizer on the display panel; and an optical film whichdisposes the polarizer between the display panel and the optical film,the optical film including a first pattern layer including a pluralityof first protruding portions. Among the plurality of first protrudingportions within the optical film, a number of first protruding portionswhich overlaps the pixel electrode is in a range from 3 to 15. An anglebetween the data line and each of the plurality of first protrudingportions is in a range from about 5 degrees to about 10 degrees.

The angle may be measured in a counterclockwise direction from the dataline.

The display device may further include a light blocking layer whichdefines a light emission area of the pixel.

The number of first protruding portions which overlaps the lightemission area may be in a range from 3 to 15.

The light emission area may include a first sub-light emission area anda second sub-light emission area which are disposed along a lengthextension direction of the data line.

The pixel may further include: a first sub-pixel electrode correspondingto the first sub-light emission area; and a second sub-pixel electrodecorresponding to the second sub-light emission area.

The foregoing is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any waylimiting. In addition to the illustrative embodiments and featuresdescribed above, further embodiments and features will become apparentby reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the invention will become more apparentby describing in detail embodiments thereof with reference to theaccompanying drawings, where:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an embodiment of adisplay device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an embodiment of anoptical film in the display device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIA-IIA′ in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating another embodimentof the optical film of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIB-IIB′ in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating still anotherembodiment of the optical film of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIC-IIC′ in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating yet anotherembodiment of the optical film of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating yet anotherembodiment of the optical film of FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view illustrating an embodiment of one pixelincluded in a display panel illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view illustrating a modified embodiment of thepixel structure of FIG. 11 in which a light blocking layer is furtherincluded;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view illustrating a modified embodiment of thepixel structure of FIG. 12 in which a protruding portion of an opticalfilm is further included;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIIA-IIIA′ in FIG.13;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIIB-IIIB′ in FIG.13;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIIC-IIIC′ in FIG.13;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view illustrating another embodiment of one pixelincluded in the display panel illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a top plan view illustrating an embodiment of a displaydevice including a plurality of pixels having one or more of thestructures illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 16;

FIG. 19 is a top plan view illustrating another embodiment of a displaydevice including a plurality of pixels having one or more of thestructures illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 16;

FIG. 20 is a top plan view illustrating still another embodiment of onepixel included in a display panel illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 21 is a view for explaining relative sizes of moiré according to anangle between a reference line and a first protruding portion of anoptical film for a display device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with referenceto the accompanying drawings. Although the invention may be modified invarious manners and have several embodiments, embodiments areillustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be mainly described inthe specification. However, the scope of the invention is not limited tothe embodiments and should be construed as including all the changes,equivalents and substitutions included in the spirit and scope of theinvention.

In the drawings, thicknesses of a plurality of layers and areas areillustrated in an enlarged manner for clarity and ease of descriptionthereof. When a layer, area, or plate is referred to as being related toanother element such as being “on” another layer, area, or plate, it maybe directly on the other layer, area, or plate, or intervening layers,areas, or plates may be present therebetween. Conversely, when a layer,area, or plate is referred to as being related to another element suchas being “directly on” another layer, area, or plate, interveninglayers, areas, or plates may be absent therebetween. Further when alayer, area, or plate is referred to as being related to another elementsuch as being “below” another layer, area, or plate, it may be directlybelow the other layer, area, or plate, or intervening layers, areas, orplates may be present therebetween. Conversely, when a layer, area, orplate is referred to as being related to another element such as being“directly below” another layer, area, or plate, intervening layers,areas, or plates may be absent therebetween.

The spatially relative terms “below,” “beneath,” “lower,” “above,”“upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description todescribe the relations between one element or component and anotherelement or component as illustrated in the drawings. It will beunderstood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompassdifferent orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition tothe orientation depicted in the drawings. For example, in the case wherea device illustrated in the drawing is turned over, the device located“below” or “beneath” another device may be placed “above” anotherdevice. Accordingly, the illustrative term “below” may include both thelower and upper positions. The device may also be oriented in the otherdirection and thus the spatially relative terms may be interpreteddifferently depending on the orientations.

Throughout the specification, when an element is referred to as being“connected” to another element, the element is “mechanically connected”or “physically connected” such as by being in contact with the otherelement, or “electrically connected” to the other element with one ormore intervening elements interposed therebetween.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms, including “at least one,” unless the content clearly indicatesotherwise. “At least one” is not to be construed as limiting “a” or“an.” “Or” means “and/or.” As used herein, the term “and/or” includesany and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “including,”“includes” and/or “including,” when used in this specification, specifythe presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elementsand/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components and/or groups thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,”“third,” and the like may be used herein to describe various elements,these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms areonly used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, “afirst element” discussed below could be termed “a second element” or “athird element,” and “a second element” and “a third element” may betermed likewise without departing from the teachings herein.

“About” or “approximately” as used herein is inclusive of the statedvalue and means within an acceptable range of variation for theparticular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art,considering the measurement in question and the error associated withmeasurement of the particular quantity (e.g., the limitations of themeasurement system). For example, “about” may mean within one or morestandard variations, or within ±30%, 20%, 10%, 5% of the stated value.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical andscientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by thoseskilled in the art to which this invention pertains. It will be furtherunderstood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal sense unlessclearly defined in the present specification.

Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to crosssection illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealizedembodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations asa result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances,are to be expected. Thus, embodiments described herein should not beconstrued as limited to the particular shapes of regions as illustratedherein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example,from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated or described asflat may, typically, have rough and/or nonlinear features. Moreover,sharp angles that are illustrated may be rounded. Thus, the regionsillustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes arenot intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region and are notintended to limit the scope of the present claims.

Some of the parts which are not associated with the description may notbe provided in order to in specific describe embodiments of theinvention and like reference numerals refer to like elements throughoutthe specification.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a display device according to the inventionwill be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 21.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an embodiment of adisplay device according to the invention, and FIG. 2 is across-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 1.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a display device according to anembodiment of the invention includes a light source module 800, a bottomcase 600, a reflection plate 900, a light guide plate 300, an opticalsheet 200, a support frame 400, a first polarizer 791, a display panel100, a second polarizer 792, an optical film 700, and a top case 500.

The bottom case 600, the reflection plate 900, the light guide plate300, the optical sheet 200, the support frame 400, the display panel100, and the top case 500 are sequentially arranged along a Z-axisdirection.

The bottom case 600 has or forms an accommodation space therein. Thelight source module 800, the reflection plate 900, the light guide plate300, and the optical sheet 200 are disposed in the accommodation space.

In order to secure the accommodation space, the bottom case 600 mayinclude an accommodation portion 611 and a plurality of side portions612 provided. In an embodiment, for example, the accommodation (bottom)portion 611 may have a quadrangular shape in a top plan view, and theside portions 612 protrude from respective edge portions of theaccommodation portion 611 to have a predetermined height from the bottomportion 611. In an embodiment, for example, the side portions 612 mayprotrude along the Z-axis direction from respective edges of theaccommodation portion 611. In an embodiment, for example, the sideportions 612 may protrude toward the top case 500 from the respectiveedges of the accommodation portion 611.

Edges of the side portions 612 that are adjacently disposed to eachother may be connected to each other. A space defined by the sideportions 612 together with the accommodation portion 611 may correspondto the aforementioned accommodation space. In an embodiment, a lockingprojection 635 may be disposed on an outer side of one or more of theside portions 612, and the support frame 400 may be fastened to thebottom case 600 by the locking projection 635. In an embodiment, thelocking projection 635 may be disposed outwardly extended from two sideportions 612 which oppose each other relative to the bottom portion 611.A portion of the corresponding side portion 612 may protrude toward thesupport frame 400, thereby defining or forming the locking projection635.

The light source module 800 generates light. The light generated in thelight source module 800 may be provided to the display panel 100 throughthe light guide plate 300 and the optical sheet 200.

The light source module 800 may include at least one light source 821and a light source circuit board 811.

The light source 821 emits light. In an embodiment, for example, thelight source 821 may emit white light.

The light source 821 faces the light guide plate 300. In an embodiment,for example, a light emission surface of the light source 821 may face alight incident surface 123 of the light guide plate 300. In other words,the light source 821 emits light through the light emission surfacethereof, and a side surface of the light guide plate 300 that faces thelight emission surface of the light source 821 may be defined as theaforementioned light incident surface 123.

The light source 821 may include, for example, a blue light emittingdiode (“LED”) that emits blue light and a phosphor which surrounds theblue LED. The blue light from the blue LED may be converted into whitelight while passing through the phosphor.

As another example, the light source 821 may include a red LED thatemits red light, a green LED that emits green light, and a blue LED thatemits blue light. The red light from the red LED, the green light fromthe green LED, and the blue light from the blue LED may be mixed witheach other to generate white light which is emitted from the lightsource 821.

The light source 821 may be provided in plurality. When the light sourcemodule 800 includes the plurality of light sources 821, the plurality oflight sources 821 are disposed or arranged along a length of the lightincident surface 123. In other words, the plurality of light sources 821are disposed along a Y-axis direction, to each face the light incidentsurface 123.

One surface of the light source circuit board 811 may be divided into atleast one mounting area and a wiring area. When the light source module800 includes the plurality of light sources 821, the light sources 821are disposed on the one surface of the light source circuit board 811and in the respective mounting areas of the light source circuit board811, and a plurality of driving signal lines for transmitting drivingpower to the light sources 821 are disposed on the one surface of thelight source circuit board 811 and in the wiring area of the lightsource circuit board 811. The aforementioned driving power is generatedin an external power supplier (not illustrated), and then applied to theplurality of driving signal lines via a separate connector (notillustrated).

Among side surfaces of the light guide plate 300 in the top plan view,the light source module 800 may be disposed at one side surface,opposite side surfaces, or all four side surfaces of the light guideplate 300 according to the size and luminous uniformity of the displaypanel 100. The side surfaces of the light guide plate 300 each connect alight emission surface which faces the display panel 100 and a lowerouter surface which faces the reflection plate 900, to each other. Alight incident surface of the light guide plate 300 is one of these sidesurfaces.

The reflection plate 900 is positioned on the accommodation portion 611of the bottom case 600. In an embodiment, for example, the reflectionplate 900 is positioned between the accommodation portion 611 and thelight guide plate 300. The reflection plate 900 reflects light that haspassed through the lower outer surface of the light guide plate 300 sothat the light may proceed back toward the light guide plate 300.Accordingly, a light loss rate may be substantially minimized.

The light guide plate 300 is positioned on the reflection plate 900. Inan embodiment, for example, the light guide plate 300 is positionedbetween the reflection plate 900 and the optical sheet 200. The lightincident surface 123 of the first light guide plate 300 faces the lightsource 821. The light emitted from the light source 821 is incident tothe light incident surface 123 and then proceeds to and through theinside of the light guide plate 300. The light in the light guide plate300 may be transmitted to the optical sheet 200 which is toward thedisplay panel 100 by total reflection. In addition, the light in thelight guide plate 300 may be transmitted to an end portion of the lightguide plate 300 by the total reflection. In such a case, the end portionof the light guide plate 300 refers to a side surface of the light guideplate 300 that faces the light incident surface 123.

The light guide plate 300 may include or be formed of an acrylic resin,such as polymethyl methacrylate (“PMMA”), polycarbonate (“PC”),reinforced glass, or the like.

The optical sheet 200 is positioned on the light guide plate 300. In anembodiment, for example, the optical sheet 200 is positioned between thelight guide plate 300 and the display panel 100. The optical sheet 200diffuses and collimates light directed thereto from the light guideplate 300, and emits light toward the display panel 100.

The optical sheet 200 may include a diffusion sheet 200 a, a collimationsheet 200 b, and a protection sheet 200 c. The diffusion sheet 200 a,the collimation sheet 200 b, and the protection sheet 200 c may bestacked on the light guide plate 300 sequentially.

The diffusion sheet 200 a serves to diffuse light guided from the lightguide plate 300 so as to substantially reduce or effectively prevent thelight from being partially concentrated.

The collimation sheet 200 b is disposed on the diffusion sheet 200 a. Inspecific, the collimation sheet 200 b is disposed between the diffusionsheet 200 a and the protection sheet 200 c. The collimation sheet 200 bcollimates the light diffused by the diffusion sheet 200 a. In anembodiment, for example, the collimation sheet 200 b collimates thelight in a direction substantially perpendicular to a surface of theprotection sheet 200 c that faces the collimation sheet 200 b. To thisend, prisms having a triangular cross-section may be disposed in apredetermined arrangement on a surface of the collimation sheet 200 bthat faces a surface of the protection sheet 200 c.

The protection sheet 200 c is positioned on the collimation sheet 200 b.The protection sheet 200 c serves to protect a surface of thecollimation sheet 200 b and diffuse light to achieve uniform lightdistribution. A light transmitted through the protection sheet 200 c isemitted from the optical sheet 200 and directed to the display panel100.

The support frame 400 is fastened to the bottom case 600 to support thedisplay panel 100 and the top case 500. In addition, the support frame400 maintains an interval between the display panel 100 and the opticalsheet 200 to be substantially constant. To this end, as illustrated inFIG. 2, the support frame 400 may have an overall quadrangular frameshape including a first support portion 411 a, a second support portion411 b, and a fastening portion 411 c. These portions may be disposed atall sides of the display device in the top plan view, without beinglimited thereto.

The first support portion 411 a is extended to be disposed on theplurality of side portions 612, and supports the top case 500 thereon.

The second support portion 411 b extends from an inner edge of the firstsupport portion 411 a toward a space between the optical sheet 200 andthe display panel 100 (or the first polarizer 791). The second supportportion 411 b has a lower height than a height of the first supportportion 411 a. That is, an uppermost surface of the first supportportion 411 a is disposed further in the Z-axis direction than thesecond support portion 411 b.

The different-height first and second support portions 411 a and 411 bform a step. A space (or gap) is defined between the top case 500 andthe second support portion 411 b by the height difference between anuppermost surface of the second support portion 411 b and an uppermostsurface of the first support portion 411 a. An edge of the display panel100 (or the first polarizer 791) is positioned in the space at the stepformed by the uppermost surfaces of the first and second supportportions 411 a and 411 b.

The fastening portion 411 c extends from a lower surface of the firstsupport portion 411 a and toward the side portion 612. A coupling grooveis defined at an inner side surface of the fastening portion 411 c, thatis, one of surfaces of the fastening portion 411 c that faces thelocking projection 635. As the locking projection 635 is inserted intothe coupling groove, the support frame 400 may be fastened to the bottomcase 600.

The top case 500 has an overall quadrangular frame shape having anopening at a center portion thereof. The top case 500 is positioned onthe display panel 100. A display area of the display panel 100 (or theoptical film 700) at which an image is displayed is exposed through theopening of the top case 500 to outside the display device. The top case500 covers an edge portion of the display panel 100 (or the optical film700), an upper surface and a side surface of the first support portion411 a of the support frame 400, and a side surface of the fasteningportion 411 c of the support frame 400. To this end, the top case 500includes a front cover 533 a that covers the edge portion of the displaypanel 100 (or the optical film 700) and the upper surface of the firstsupport portion 411 a, and a side cover 533 b that covers both of theside surface of the first support portion 411 a and the side surface ofthe fastening portion 411 c. These portions of the top case 500 may bedisposed at all sides of the display device in the top plan view,without being limited thereto.

In an embodiment, a hook 525 may be positioned at an inner side surfaceof the side cover 533 b, and the hook 525 contacts a lower surface ofthe fastening portion 411 c of the support frame 400. The top case 500may be fastened to the support frame 400 by the hook 525. In addition,one of the side covers 533 b has an opening. A printed circuit board(“PCB”) 168 to be described below is exposed outside the top case 500through the opening of the side cover 533 b.

The display panel 100 is positioned on the optical sheet 200. Thedisplay panel 100 generates and/or displays an image. The display panel100 includes a first (display) substrate 101 and a second (display)substrate 102 which is located to face the first substrate 101. Althoughnot illustrated in FIG. 1, the display panel 100 further includes alight control layer disposed between the first substrate 101 and thesecond substrate 102.

The light control layer controls transmittance of light provided fromthe optical sheet 200. Any element that may control the transmittance oflight may be used as the light control layer. In embodiments, forexample, the light control layer may be one of a liquid crystal layer,an electro-wetting layer, and an electrophoretic layer. Hereinafter, thelight control layer is to be described as a liquid crystal layer by wayof example.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 1, a plurality of display signal linessuch as a gate line and a data line, and a pixel electrode which isconnected to the display signal lines, are disposed in or on the firstsubstrate 101. The display signal lines and pixel electrode may bedisposed on a base substrate within the first substrate 101 withoutbeing limited thereto. The gate line, the data line and the pixelelectrode may each be provided in plurality within the display panel100. The data lines intersect the gate lines. The gate lines areconnected to a gate driver 134, and the data lines are connected to adata driver 136. As display signal lines, the gate lines and the datalines which are connected to pixels may transmit image data, controlsignals, driving signals, etc. to the pixels to thereby drive the pixelsto display an image.

The gate driver 134 may be located at a non-display area of the firstsubstrate 101 which excludes the display area of the first substrate101. The gate driver 134 generates control or driving signals such as agate signals according to a gate control signal applied from a timingcontroller (not illustrated), and sequentially applies the gate signalsto the plurality of gate lines. The gate driver 134 may include, forexample, a shift register that shifts a gate start pulse based on a gateshift clock to produce the gate signals. The shift register may includea plurality of driving transistors.

The data driver 136 includes a plurality of data driving integratedcircuits (“ICs”) 147. The data driving ICs 147 receive digital imagedata signals and a data control signal applied thereto from the timingcontroller. The data driving ICs 147 sample the digital image datasignals according to the data control signal, latch the sampled imagedata signals corresponding to one horizontal line every horizontalperiod, and apply the latched image data signal to the data lines. Thatis, the data driving ICs 147 convert the digital image data signalsapplied from the timing controller into analog image signals using agamma voltage applied from a power supplier (not illustrated), and applythe analog image signals to the data lines.

Respective data driving ICs 147 are mounted on a carrier 146. Thecarrier 146 may be provided in plurality. The carriers 146 are eachconnected between the PCB 168 and the display panel 100. The timingcontroller and the power supplier described above may be positioned onthe PCB 168. The carrier 146 includes input wirings configured totransmit various signals applied thereto from the timing controller andthe power supplier to the data driving IC 147, and output wiringsconfigured to transmit the image data signals output from the datadriving IC 147 to the corresponding one of the data lines.

In an embodiment, at least one carrier 146 may further include auxiliarylines to transmit various control or driving signals applied from thetiming controller and the power supplier to the gate driver 134, and theauxiliary lines are connected to connection lines located at the firstsubstrate 101. The connection lines connect the auxiliary wirings andthe gate driver 134 to each other. The connection lines may be disposedor formed in or on the first substrate 101 in a line-on-glass manner.

The display panel 100 may be positioned between the first polarizer 791and the second polarizer 792. The first polarizer 791 is disposed on anouter surface of the first substrate 101 which is closest to a viewingside of the display device, and the second polarizer 792 is disposed onan outer surface of the second substrate 102 which is furthest from theviewing side of the display device. Herein, when facing surfaces of thefirst substrate 101 and the second substrate 102 are defined as innersurfaces of the corresponding substrates, the respective outer surfacesof the first substrate 101 and the second substrate 102 means surfacesof the corresponding substrates that are positioned opposite to therespective inner surfaces.

An optical axis of the first polarizer 791 may intersect an optical axisof the second polarizer 792. In an embodiment, for example, when theoptical axis of the first polarizer 791 is parallel to an X-axisdirection, the optical axis of the second polarizer 792 may be parallelto the Y-axis direction.

The optical film 700 is positioned on the second polarizer 792. In anembodiment, for example, the optical film 700 and the second substrate102 may face each other with the second polarizer 792 therebetween. Theoptical film 700 is disposed in a light emission direction of the secondpolarizer 792, such that light passed through the second polarizer 792passes through the optical film 700 at a viewing side of the displaydevice.

The optical film 700 and the second polarizer 792 may be integrallyformed into a unitary structure to constitute a polarizing member. Inother words, the polarizing member may collectively include the secondpolarizer 792 and the optical film 700 which is disposed on the secondpolarizer 792.

The optical film 700 may diffuse the light (e.g., polarized light)incident from the second polarizer 792. The optical film 700 may improvea contrast ratio and luminance uniformity at the viewing side of thedisplay device, improve a viewing angle at the viewing side, andsubstantially minimize a difference in luminance uniformity according toa screen size of display devices (e.g., liquid crystal display (“LCD”)devices). In addition, the optical film 700 may substantially minimizeor effectively prevent the moiré phenomenon.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the optical film 700of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lineIIA-IIA′ in FIG. 3.

The optical film 700 includes a first pattern layer 701, a secondpattern layer 702, and a protective layer 703, as illustrated in FIGS. 3and 4.

The first pattern layer 701 is disposed on the second polarizer 792 tobe closer to the second polarizer 792 than the second pattern layer 702.In an embodiment, for example, the first pattern layer 701 is disposedbetween the second polarizer 792 and the second pattern layer 702. Thefirst pattern layer 701 includes a base portion (hereinafter, “a firstbase portion 710”) and a plurality of protruding portions (hereinafter,“first protruding portions 711”). The first base portion 710 may beintegrally formed with the plurality of first protruding portions 711 todefine a unitary structure. That is, one of the first base portion 710and the first protruding portion 711 may extend to define the other oneof the first base portion 710 and the first protruding portion 711. Suchextending portions may also be used to define other unitary structuresdescribed herein.

The second pattern layer 702 is positioned on the first pattern layer701. In an embodiment, for example, the second pattern layer 702 isdisposed between the first pattern layer 701 and the protective layer703. The second pattern layer 702 includes a base portion (hereinafter,“a second base portion 720”) and a plurality of protruding portions(hereinafter, “second protruding portions 722”). The second base portion720 may be integrally formed with the plurality of second protrudingportions 722 to define a unitary structure, as similarly described abovefor the first pattern layer 701.

Facing surfaces of the first base portion 710 and the second baseportion 720 are defined as inner surfaces 760 and 780 of thecorresponding base portions 710 and 720, a surface of the first baseportion 710 opposite to the inner surface 760 of the first base portion710 is defined as an outer surface of the first base portion 710, and asurface of the second base portion 720 opposite to the inner surface 780of the second base portion 720 is defined as an outer surface of thesecond base portion 720. The inner surfaces 760 and 780 may berespectively virtually extended in the X-axis and Y-axis directions,such as to define a plane. Such virtually-extended inner surfaces 760and 780 are common to each of the respective protruding portions of thepattern layer. That is, the first and second protruding portions 711 and722 may be extended from a common inner surface of the respectivepattern layer 701 and 702, such as from a common plane of the respectivepattern layer 701 and 702.

The first protruding portions 711 of the first pattern layer 701 aredisposed arranged separated from each other along the Y-axis direction.Each first protruding portion 711 has a length which extends along theX-axis direction, and a width which extends along the Y-axis direction.The plurality of first protruding portions 711 protrude from the firstbase portion 710 toward the second pattern layer 702. In an embodiment,for example, the plurality of first protruding portions 711 protrudefrom the inner surface 760 of the first base portion 710 along theZ-axis direction. The first protruding portion 711 may have aquadrangular cross-section. In an embodiment, for example, the firstprotruding portion 711 may have a trapezoidal cross-section.

The first protruding portions 711 may have substantially the same sizeand dimensions as each other. In an embodiment, for example, the firstprotruding portions 711 may have substantially same lengths L,substantially same heights H, and substantially same widths LW, MW, andUW. Herein, the length L of the first protruding portion 711 means asize of the first protruding portion 711 in the X-axis direction, theheight H of the first protruding portion 711 means a size of the firstprotruding portion 711 in the Z-axis direction, and the widths LW, MW,and UW of the first protruding portions 711 mean sizes of the firstprotruding portions 711 in the Y-axis direction. In such an embodiment,the widths LW, MW, and UW of the first protruding portions 711 may beclassified into a lower width LW, a middle width MW, and an upper widthUW.

The lower width LW of the first protruding portion 711 means a length ofone of two sides facing each other in the Z-axis direction, of the firstprotruding portion 711, that is closer to the first base portion 710.The upper width UW of the first protruding portion 711 means a length ofthe other of the two sides facing each other in the Z-axis direction, ofthe first protruding portion 711, that is further away from the firstbase portion 710. The middle width MW of the first protruding portion711 means a length of a segment connecting center points of two sides ofthe first protruding portion 711 that face each other in the Y-axisdirection.

The middle width MW of the first protruding portion 711 and a distance(or gap) between adjacent ones of the first protruding portions 711 maybe substantially the same as each other. In other words, the middlewidth MW of the first protruding portion 711 and a middle width of thesecond protruding portion 722 may be substantially the same as eachother.

A pitch P (or period) of the first protruding portions 711 may besubstantially the same as each other. Herein, the pitch P of the firstprotruding portions 711 may be defined as a distance between centerportions of the first protruding portions 711 that are adjacent to eachother along the Y-axis direction. The center portion of the firstprotruding portion 711 means a portion located at a half point of thewidth (e.g., the upper width UW) of the first protruding portion 711. Onthe other hand, the pitch P of the first protruding portions 711 may bedefined as a distance between mutually corresponding sides of the firstprotruding portions 711 that are adjacent to each other. In anembodiment, for example, the pitch P may be defined as a distancebetween a left side of one of the first protruding portions 711 and aleft side of another of the first protruding portions 711 that isadjacent to the one of the first protruding portions 711 in FIG. 4. Theleft sides are arranged along the Y-axis direction.

The distance (or gap) between adjacent ones of the first protrudingportions 711 may be substantially the same as each other. In anembodiment, for example, when three sequential adjacent first protrudingportions 711 are defined as a left protruding portion, a centerprotruding portion adjacent to the left protruding portion, and a rightprotruding portion adjacent to the center protruding portion,respectively, a distance (or gap) between the left protruding portionand the center protruding portion may be substantially the same as adistance (or gap) between the center protruding portion and the rightprotruding portion.

The second protruding portions 722 of the second pattern layer 702 aredisposed arranged separated from each other along the Y-axis direction.Each second protruding portion 722 has a length which extends along theX-axis direction, and a width which extends along the Y-axis direction.The plurality of second protruding portions 722 protrude from the secondbase portion 720 toward the first pattern layer 701. In an embodiment,for example, the plurality of second protruding portions 722 protrudefrom the inner surface 780 of the second base portion 720 toward adirection opposite to the Z-axis direction (hereinafter, “−Z-axisdirection”). The second protruding portion 722 may have a quadrangularcross-section. In an embodiment, for example, the second protrudingportion 722 may have a trapezoidal cross-section.

The second protruding portions 722 may have substantially the same sizeand dimensions as each other. In an embodiment, for example, the secondprotruding portions 722 may have substantially same lengths,substantially same heights, and substantially same widths. Herein, thelength of the second protruding portion 722 means a size of the secondprotruding portion 722 in the X-axis direction, the height of the secondprotruding portion 722 means a size of the second protruding portion 722in the Z-axis direction, and the widths of the second protrudingportions 722 mean sizes of the second protruding portions 722 in theY-axis direction. In such an embodiment, the widths of the secondprotruding portions 722 may be classified into a lower width, a middlewidth, and an upper width. The lower width of the second protrudingportion 722 means a length of one of two sides facing each other in theZ-axis direction, of the second protruding portion 722, that is closerto the second base portion 720. The upper width UW of the secondprotruding portion 722 means a length of the other of the two sidesfacing each other in the Z-axis direction, of the second protrudingportion, 722 that is further away from the second base portion 720. Themiddle width MW of the second protruding portion 722 means a length of asegment connecting center points of two sides of the second protrudingportion 722 that face each other in the Y-axis direction.

The middle width MW of the second protruding portion 722 and a distance(or gap) between adjacent ones of the second protruding portions 722 maybe substantially the same as each other. In other words, the middlewidth of the second protruding portion 722 and the middle width MW ofthe first protruding portion 711 may be substantially the same as eachother.

A pitch P (or period) of the second protruding portions 722 may besubstantially the same as each other. Here, the pitch P of the secondprotruding portions 722 may be defined as a distance between centerportions of the second protruding portions 722 that are adjacent to eachother along the Y-axis direction. The center portion of the secondprotruding portion 722 means a portion located at a half point of thewidth (e.g., the upper width) of the second protruding portion 722. Onthe other hand, the pitch P of the second protruding portions 722 may bedefined as a distance between mutually corresponding sides of the secondprotruding portions 722 that are adjacent to each other. In anembodiment, for example, the pitch P may be defined as a distancebetween a left side of one of the second protruding portions 722 and aleft side of another of the second protruding portions 722 that isadjacent to the one of the second protruding portions 722 in FIG. 4. Theleft sides are arranged along the Y-axis direction.

The distance (or gap) between adjacent ones of the second protrudingportions 722 may be substantially the same as each other. In anembodiment, for example, when three sequential adjacent secondprotruding portions 722 are defined as a left protruding portion, acenter protruding portion adjacent to the left protruding portion, and aright protruding portion adjacent to the center protruding portion,respectively, a distance (or gap) between the left protruding portionand the center protruding portion may be substantially the same as adistance (or gap) between the center protruding portion and the rightprotruding portion.

A size of the first protruding portion 711 and a size of the secondprotruding portion 722 may be substantially the same as each other. Inan embodiment, for example, the length L, the height H and the widthsLW, MW, and UW of the first protruding portion 711 may be substantiallythe same as the length, the height, and the widths of the secondprotruding portion 722, respectively.

The pitch P of the first protruding portions 711 and the pitch of thesecond protruding portions 722 may be substantially the same as eachother. Lengths or length extension directions of the first protrudingportions 711 and the second protruding portions 722 may be parallel toeach other, without being limited thereto.

Within the optical film 700, the first protruding portions 711 and thesecond protruding portions 722 are disposed alternately along the Y-axisdirection. In an embodiment, for example, when defining a space betweentwo first protruding portions 711 that are disposed adjacent to eachother in the Y-axis direction as a groove 766 of the first pattern layer701, the second protruding portion 722 is disposed (or inserted) in thegroove 766 of the first pattern layer 701. In addition, when defining aspace between two second protruding portions 722 that are disposedadjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction as a groove 788 of thesecond pattern layer 702, the first protruding portion 711 is disposed(or inserted) in the groove 788 of the second pattern layer 702.

The groove 766 of the first pattern layer 701 has a shape substantiallythe same as a shape of the second protruding portions 722 of the secondpattern layer 702, and the groove 788 of the second pattern layer 702has a shape substantially the same as a shape of the first protrudingportion 711 of the first pattern layer 701.

The first protruding portion 711 may have a width that graduallydecreases along a direction from the first base portion 710 toward thesecond base portion 720 (e.g., the Z-axis direction). In contrast, thesecond protruding portion 722 may have a width that gradually increasesalong a direction from the first base portion 710 toward the second baseportion 720 (e.g., the Z-axis direction).

The first pattern layer 701 and the second pattern layer 702 may havedifferent refractive indices. In an embodiment, for example, therefractive index of the second pattern layer 702 may be greater than therefractive index of the first pattern layer 701. In addition,alternatively, the refractive index of the second pattern layer 702 maybe less than the refractive index of the first pattern layer 701.

A pattern layer having a relatively large refractive index (hereinafter,“a high refractive index pattern layer”) among the first pattern layer701 and the second pattern layer 702 may include a material having arefractive index substantially equal to or greater than 1.0.Specifically, the high refractive index pattern layer may include amaterial having a refractive index in a range from about 1.50 to about1.60. In an embodiment, for example, the high refractive index patternlayer may include an ultraviolet (“UV”) curable material including atleast one of a (meth) acrylic resin, a polycarbonate-based resin, asilicon-based resin, and an epoxy-based resin.

A pattern layer having a relatively small refractive index (hereinafter,“a low refractive index pattern layer”) among the first pattern layer701 and the second pattern layer 702 may have a refractive index of lessthan about 1.50. Specifically, the low refractive index pattern layermay include a material having a refractive index substantially equal toor greater than 1.35 and less than about 1.50. In an embodiment, forexample, the low refractive index pattern layer may include a UV-curabletransparent resin. As a specific example, the low refractive indexpattern layer may include a UV-curable material including at least oneof a (meth) acrylic resin, a polycarbonate-based resin, a silicon-basedresin, and an epoxy-based resin.

At least one of the high refractive index pattern layer and the lowrefractive index pattern layer may include a light diffusing agent. Aleft and right viewing angle in the horizontal direction and an up anddown viewing angle in the vertical direction of the screen of thedisplay device may be simultaneously improved by the pattern layerincluding the light diffusing agent included in a pattern layer. Thelight diffusing agent may include an organic light diffusing agent, aninorganic light diffusing agent, or a combination thereof. Thecombination of the organic light diffusing agent and the inorganic lightdiffusing agent may improve the diffusibility and transmittance of thelow refractive index pattern layer or the high refractive index patternlayer.

The organic light diffusing agent may include one or more of (meth)acrylic-based particles, siloxane-based particles, and styrene-basedparticles. The inorganic light diffusing agent may include at least oneof calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, titanium dioxide, aluminumhydroxide, silica, glass, talc, mica, white carbon, magnesium oxide andzinc oxide. In particular, the inorganic light diffusing agent is moreeffective in reducing or effectively preventing a decrease in whitenessand in increasing light diffusibility as compared with the organic lightdiffusing agent.

A shape and a particle diameter (or particle size) of the lightdiffusing agent are not limited to any particular shape and numericalvalue. In an embodiment, for example, the light diffusing agent mayinclude spherical cross-linked particles, and an average particlediameter may be in a range from about 0.1 micrometer (μm) to about 30micrometers (μm), specifically, in a range from about 0.5 μm to about 10and more specifically in a range from about 1 μm to about 5 μm. Withinthe aforementioned range, the be realized. The light diffusing agent maybe included in the high refractive index pattern layer alone, the lowrefractive index pattern layer alone, or both of the high refractiveindex pattern layer and the low refractive index pattern layer. Thelight diffusing agent in a pattern layer may be present in an amount ina range from about 0.1 wt % to about 20 wt %, and specifically in arange from about 1 wt % to about 15 wt %, with respect to a total weightof the pattern layer. Within the aforementioned range, a light diffusioneffect may be improved.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, an interface (e.g., a contact interface)between the first pattern layer 701 and the second pattern layer 702 mayhave a concavo-convex shape (or a zigzag shape).

The protective layer 703 is disposed on the second pattern layer 702. Inan embodiment, for example, the protective layer 703 is disposed on theouter surface of the second pattern layer 702. The protective layer 703protects and supports the first pattern layer 701 and the second patternlayer 702.

The protective layer 703 may have a cross-sectional thickness (e.g.,along the Z-axis direction) substantially equal to or greater than about10,000 nanometers (nm), specifically greater than about 10,000 nm, andmore specifically, in a range from about 10,100 nm to about 15,000 nm.Within the aforementioned range, rainbow stains may be reduced oreffectively prevented.

The protective layer 703 may be a film including a monoaxially orbiaxially stretched optically transparent resin. In an embodiment, forexample, the optically transparent resin may include at least oneselected from polyester including, for example, polyethyleneterephthalate (“PET”), polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylenenaphthalate, and polybutylene naphthalate, acryl, cyclic olefin polymer(“COP”), cellulose ester including, for example, triacetyl cellulose(“TAC”), polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”), polynorbornene,polycarbonate (“PC”), polyamide, polyacetal, polyphenylene ether,polyphenylene sulfide, polysulfone, polyether sulfone, polyarylate, andpolyimide.

The protective layer 703 may include a film produced after modifying theaforementioned optically transparent resin. Such modification mayinclude copolymerization, branching, cross-linking, or molecularterminal modification, and the like.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating another embodimentof the optical film of FIG. 2, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional viewtaken along line IIB-IIB′ in FIG. 5.

An optical film 700 includes a first pattern layer 701, a second patternlayer 702, and a protective layer 703, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The optical film 700 of FIG. 5 is different from the optical film 700 ofFIG. 3 described above only in the shape of protruding portions andgrooves, and the remaining structure is substantially the same as thatof the optical film 700 of FIG. 3.

A first protruding portion 711 of FIG. 5 may have a paraboliccross-section shape. In addition, the first protruding portion 711 mayhave a semicircular or convex lens-shaped cross-section shape.

In FIG. 5, at least one of sides of a second protruding portion 722 thatface each other in the Y-axis direction has a concave round shape.

In FIG. 5, a groove 766 between adjacent ones of the first protrudingportions 711 has a shape substantially the same as a shape of the secondprotruding portion 722, and a groove 788 between adjacent ones of thesecond protruding portions 722 has a shape substantially the same as ashape of the first protruding portion 711.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating still anotherembodiment of the optical film of FIG. 2, and FIG. 8 is across-sectional view taken along line IIC-IIC′ in FIG. 7.

An optical film 700 includes a first pattern layer 701, a second patternlayer 702, and a protective layer 703, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

The optical film 700 of FIG. 7 further includes a concavo-convex shapealong a length of a protruding portion as compared with the optical film700 of FIG. 3 described above. The remaining structure of the opticalfilm 700 of FIG. 7 is substantially the same as that of the optical film700 of FIG. 3.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, an upper surface 731 of the firstprotruding portion 711 has a concavo-convex shape. The upper surface 731of a first protruding portion 711 means one of surfaces of the firstprotruding portion 711 that faces a second pattern layer 702 and that isfarthest from the first base portion 710. In such an embodiment, aconcave portion 11 a and a convex portion 11 b of the upper surface 731are disposed along a length direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) ofthe first protruding portion 711. In other words, the concave portion 11a and the convex portion 11 b of the upper surface 731 are arranged in adirection intersecting an arrangement direction of the first protrudingportions 711.

As the upper surface of the first protruding portion 711 has theconcavo-convex shape, an inner surface 780 of the second pattern layer702 that faces the upper surface 731 also has a concavo-convex shape asillustrated by the dotted line in FIG. 7. In such an embodiment, theconvex portion 11 b of the first protruding portion 711 is inserted intoa concave portion 12 a of the second pattern layer 702, and a convexportion 12 b of the second pattern layer 702 is inserted into theconcave portion 11 b of the first protruding portion 711.

Each of the concave portions 11 a and 12 a may have a concave roundshape, and each of the convex portions 11 b and 12 b may have a convexround shape.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 7, a concave portion 11 a of anupper surface 731 of one of the first protruding portions 711 may bedisposed corresponding to a concave portion 11 a of an upper surface 731of another of the first protruding portions 711 that is adjacent to theone of the first protruding portions 711. Similarly, a convex portion 11b of an upper surface 731 of one of the first protruding portions 711may be disposed corresponding to a convex portion 11 b of an uppersurface 731 of another of the first protruding portions 711 that isadjacent to the one of the first protruding portions 711. In otherwords, the concave portions 11 a of the upper surfaces 731 may bedisposed along the arrangement direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) ofthe first protruding portions 711. In addition, the convex portions 11 bof the upper surfaces 731 may be disposed along the arrangementdirection (e.g., the Y-axis direction) of the first protruding portions711.

On the other hand, conversely, a concave portion 11 a of an uppersurface 731 of one of the first protruding portions 711 may be disposedcorresponding to a convex portion 11 b of an upper surface 731 ofanother of the first protruding portions 711 that is adjacent to the oneof the first protruding portions 711. Similarly, a convex portion 11 bof an upper surface 731 of one of the first protruding portions 711 maybe disposed corresponding to a concave portion 11 a of an upper surface731 of another of the first protruding portions 711 that is adjacent tothe one of the first protruding portions 711. In other words, theconcave portion 11 a and the convex portion 11 b of the upper surfaces731 may be disposed alternately along the arrangement direction (e.g.,the Y-axis direction) of the first protruding portions 711.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating yet anotherembodiment of the optical film of FIG. 2.

An optical film 700 includes a first pattern layer 701, a second patternlayer 702, and a protective layer, as illustrated in FIG. 9.

The optical film 700 of FIG. 9 further includes a first projection 71 a,a second projection 71 b, and a concavo-convex shape 11 a and 11 b, ascompared to the optical film 700 of FIG. 3 described above. Theremaining structure of the optical film of FIG. 9 is the same as that ofthe optical film 700 of FIG. 3.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the first pattern layer 701 may furtherinclude the first projection 71 a and the second projection 71 b thatprotrude from a common plane at a distal end (e.g., an upper surface 731a) of at least one first protruding portion 711. The first projection 71a and the second projection 71 b may define a recess between the firstprojection 71 a and the second projection 71 b, where the concavo-convexshape 11 a and 11 b is disposed in such recess. The first projection 71a is disposed at a first side edge of an upper surface 731 a of thefirst protruding portion 711, and the second projection 71 b is disposedat a second side edge of the upper surface 731 a of the first protrudingportion 711 which faces the first side edge. The first and second sideedges of the upper surface 731 a face each other in the Y-axisdirection. The first projection 71 a protrudes toward the second patternlayer 702 from the first side edge, and the second projection 71 bprotrudes toward the second pattern layer 702 from the second side edge.In other words, the first projection 71 a protrudes along the Z-axisdirection at the first side edge, and the second projection 71 bprotrudes along the Z-axis direction at the second side edge. The firstprojection 71 a and the second projection 71 b face each other in theY-axis direction.

The upper surface 731 a between the first projection 71 a and the secondprojection 71 b has a concavo-convex shape along the length of the firstprotruding portion 711. The concavo-convex shape protrudes from a samecommon plane from which the first projection 71 a and the secondprojection 71 b protrude. The upper surface 731 a of the firstprotruding portion 711 means ones of surfaces of the first protrudingportion 711 that faces the second pattern layer 702. That is, acollective upper surface 731 a may be defined by portions of the firstprojection 71 a, the second projection 71 b and the concavo-convex shape11 a and 11 b. In such an embodiment, a concave portion 11 a and aconvex portion 11 b of the upper surface 731 a are disposed along alongitudinal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) of the firstprotruding portion 711. In other words, the concave portion 11 a and theconvex portion 11 b of the upper surface 731 a are disposed in adirection intersecting an arrangement direction of the first protrudingportions 711.

A collective inner surface 780 of the second pattern layer 702 mayinclude portions corresponding to the first projection 71 a, the secondprojection 71 b and the concavo-convex shape 11 a and 11 b of the firstpattern layer 701. As the upper surface 731 a of the first protrudingportion 711 has the concavo-convex shape, the collective inner surface780 of the second pattern layer 702 that faces the upper surface 731 aalso has a concavo-convex shape. In such an embodiment, the convexportion 11 b of the first protruding portion 711 is inserted into aconcave portion 12 a of the second pattern layer 702, and a convexportion 12 b of the second pattern layer 702 is inserted into theconcave portion 11 b of the first protruding portion 711. Along theY-axis direction, the inner surface 780 of the second pattern layer 702may include a recess shape corresponding to the shape of the firstprojection 71 a and the second projection 71 b of the first patternlayer 701.

Each of the concave portions 11 a and 12 a may have a concave roundshape, and each of the convex portions 11 b and 12 b may have a convexround shape.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 9, a concave portion 11 a of anupper surface 731 a of one of the first protruding portions 711 may bedisposed corresponding to a concave portion 11 a of an upper surface 731a of another of the first protruding portions 711 that is adjacent tothe one of the first protruding portions 711. Similarly, a convexportion 11 b of an upper surface 731 a of one of the first protrudingportions 711 may be disposed corresponding to a convex portion 11 b ofan upper surface 731 a of another of the first protruding portions 711that is adjacent to the one of the first protruding portions 711. Inother words, the concave portions 11 a of the upper surfaces 731 a maybe disposed along the arrangement direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction)of the first protruding portions 711. In addition, the convex portions11 b of the upper surfaces 731 a may be disposed along the arrangementdirection (e.g., the Y-axis direction) of the first protruding portions711.

On the other hand, conversely, a concave portion 11 a of an uppersurface 731 a of one of the first protruding portions 711 may bedisposed corresponding to a convex portion 11 b of an upper surface 731a of another of the first protruding portions 711 that is adjacent tothe one of the first protruding portions 711. Similarly, a convexportion 11 b of an upper surface 731 a of one of the first protrudingportions 711 may be disposed corresponding to a concave portion 11 a ofan upper surface 731 a of another of the first protruding portions 711that is adjacent to the one of the first protruding portions 711. Inother words, the concave portion 11 a and the convex portion 11 b of theupper surfaces 731 a may be disposed alternately along the arrangementdirection (e.g., the Y-axis direction) of the first protruding portions711.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating yet anotherembodiment of the optical film of FIG. 2.

An optical film 700 includes a first pattern layer 701, a second patternlayer 702, and a protective layer 703, as illustrated in FIG. 10.

The optical film 700 of FIG. 10 further includes a first projection 71a, a second projection 71 b, and a concavo-convex shape 11 a and 11 b,as compared to the optical film 700 of FIGS. 5 and 6 described above.The remaining structure of the optical film of FIG. 9 is the same asthat of the optical film 700 of FIGS. 5 and 6.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the first pattern layer 701 may furtherinclude the first projection 71 a and the second projection 71 b thatprotrude from a common plane at a distal end (e.g., an upper surface 731a) of at least one first protruding portion 711. The first projection 71a is disposed at a first side edge of an upper surface 731 a of thefirst protruding portion 711, and the second projection 71 b is disposedat a second side edge of the upper surface 731 a of the first protrudingportion 711 which faces the first side edge. The first and second sideedges of the upper surface 731 a face each other in the Y-axisdirection. The first projection 71 a protrudes toward the second patternlayer 702 from the first side edge, and the second projection 71 bprotrudes toward the second pattern layer 702 from the second side edge.In other words, the first projection 71 a protrudes along the Z-axisdirection at the first side edge, and the second projection 71 bprotrudes along the Z-axis direction at the second side edge. The firstprojection 71 a and the second projection 71 b face each other in theY-axis direction.

When mutually facing surfaces of the first and second projections 71 aand 71 b are respectively defined as inner surfaces of the firstprojection 71 a and the second projection 71 b, respectively, a surfaceof the first projection 71 a located opposite to the inner surface ofthe first projection 71 a is defined as an outer surface of the firstprojection 71 a, and a surface of the second projection 71 b locatedopposite to the inner surface of the second projection 71 b is definedas an outer surface of the second projection 71 b, the outer surface ofthe first projection 71 a and the outer surface of the second projection71 b may each have a round shape in cross-section.

The upper surface 731 a between the first projection 71 a and the secondprojection 71 b has a concavo-convex shape along the length of the firstprotruding portion 711. The concavo-convex shape protrudes from a samecommon plane from which the first projection 71 a and the secondprojection 71 b protrude. The upper surface 731 a of the firstprotruding portion 711 means ones of surfaces of the first protrudingportion 711 that faces the second pattern layer 702. That is, acollective upper surface 731 a may be defined by portions of the firstprojection 71 a, the second projection 71 b and the concavo-convex shape11 a and 11 b. In such an embodiment, a concave portion 11 a and aconvex portion 11 b of the upper surface 731 a are disposed along alongitudinal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) of the firstprotruding portion 711. In other words, the concave portion 11 a and theconvex portion 11 b of the upper surface 731 a are arranged in adirection intersecting an arrangement direction of the first protrudingportions 711.

A collective inner surface 780 of the second pattern layer 702 mayinclude portions corresponding to the first projection 71 a, the secondprojection 71 b and the concavo-convex shape 11 a and 11 b of the firstpattern layer 701. As the upper surface 731 a of the first protrudingportion 711 has the concavo-convex shape, the collective inner surface780 of the second pattern layer 702 that faces the upper surface 731 aalso has a concavo-convex shape. In such an embodiment, the convexportion 11 b of the first protruding portion 711 is inserted into aconcave portion 12 a of the second pattern layer 702, and a convexportion 12 b of the second pattern layer 702 is inserted into theconcave portion 11 b of the first protruding portion 711. Along theY-axis direction, the inner surface 780 of the second pattern layer 702may include a recess shape corresponding to the shape of the firstprojection 71 a and the second projection 71 b of the first patternlayer 701.

Each of the concave portions 11 a and 12 a may have a concave roundshape, and each of the convex portions 11 b and 12 b may have a convexround shape.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 10, a concave portion 11 a of anupper surface 731 a of one of the first protruding portions 711 may bedisposed corresponding to a concave portion 11 a of an upper surface 731a of another of the first protruding portions 711 that is adjacent tothe one of the first protruding portions 711. Similarly, a convexportion 11 b of an upper surface 731 a of one of the first protrudingportions 711 may be disposed corresponding to a convex portion 11 b ofan upper surface 731 a of another of the first protruding portions 711that is adjacent to the one of the first protruding portions 711. Inother words, the concave portions 11 a of the upper surfaces 731 a maybe disposed along the arrangement direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction)of the first protruding portions 711. In addition, the convex portions11 b of the upper surfaces 731 a may be disposed along the arrangementdirection (e.g., the Y-axis direction) of the first protruding portions711.

On the other hand, conversely, a concave portion 11 a of an uppersurface 731 a of one of the first protruding portions 711 may bedisposed corresponding to a convex portion 11 b of an upper surface 731a of another of the first protruding portions 711 that is adjacent tothe one of the first protruding portions 711. Similarly, a convexportion 11 b of an upper surface 731 a of one of the first protrudingportions 711 may be disposed corresponding to a concave portion 11 a ofan upper surface 731 a of another of the first protruding portions 711that is adjacent to the one of the first protruding portions 711. Inother words, the concave portion 11 a and the convex portion 11 b of theupper surfaces 731 a may be disposed alternately along the arrangementdirection (e.g., the Y-axis direction) of the first protruding portions711.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view illustrating an embodiment of one pixelincluded in a display panel illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 12 is a top planview illustrating a modified embodiment of the pixel structure of FIG.11 in which a light blocking layer is further included, FIG. 13 is a topplan view illustrating a modified embodiment of the pixel structure ofFIG. 12 in which a protruding portion of an optical film is furtherincluded, FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIIA-IIIA′in FIG. 13, FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along lineIIIB-IIIB′ in FIG. 13, and FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken alongline IIIC-IIIC′ in FIG. 13.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 16, a pixel PX includes a first switchingelement TFT1, a second switching element TFT2, a third switching elementTFT3, a first sub-pixel electrode PE1, a second sub-pixel electrode PE2,a first color filter layer 3351 and a second color filter layer 3352.

The first switching element TFT1 includes a first gate electrode GE1, afirst semiconductor layer 3321, a first source electrode SE1 and a firstdrain electrode DE1. The first gate electrode GE is connected to a gateline GL, the first source electrode SE1 is connected to a data line DL1,and the first drain electrode DE is connected to the first sub-pixelelectrode PE1.

The second switching element TFT2 includes a second gate electrode GE2,a second semiconductor layer 3322, a second source electrode SE2 and asecond drain electrode DE2. The second gate electrode GE2 is connectedto the gate line GL, the second source electrode SE2 is connected to thefirst source electrode SE1, and the second drain electrode DE2 isconnected to the second sub-pixel electrode PE2.

The third switching element TFT3 includes a third gate electrode GE3, athird semiconductor layer 3323, a third source electrode SE3, a floatingelectrode FE and a third drain electrode DE3. The third gate electrodeGE3 is connected to the gate line GL, the third source electrode SE3 isconnected to the second drain electrode DE2, and the third drainelectrode DE3 is connected to a first sustain electrode 7751 and asecond sustain electrode 7752. In addition, the third drain electrodeDE3 may extend further in the X-axis direction and overlap both of thefirst sub-pixel electrode PE1 and the second sub-pixel electrode PE2. Insuch an embodiment, the extended third drain electrode DE3 may overlap acenter portion of the first sub-pixel electrode PE1 and a center portionof the second sub-pixel electrode PE2. In addition, the third drainelectrode DE3 of one pixel PX may be connected to third drain electrodesDE3 of other pixels PX adjacent to the one pixel PX in the X-axisdirection. In other words, the third drain electrodes DE3 of the pixelsPX connected in common to one data line may be connected to each other.In such an embodiment, the third drain electrodes DE3 of the pixels PXconnected in common to one data line may be integrally formed into aunitary structure.

The reference numerals 101 and 102 may indicate a base substrate (referto FIGS. 14-16) or an overall display substrate (refer to FIGS. 1 and 2)in which a base substrate is disposed. The main structure of the pixelPX is located between a first substrate 101 and a second substrate 102.In other words, as illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 16, the display deviceincludes the first substrate 101 and the second substrate 102 spacedapart from each other by a predetermined distance, and the firstswitching element TFT1, the second switching element TFT2, the thirdswitching element TFT3, the first sub-pixel electrode PE1, the secondsub-pixel electrode PE2, the first color filter layer 3351 and thesecond color filter layer 3352 are located between the first substrate101 and the second substrate 102.

In addition, the gate line GL, a sustain line 7720, the first sustainelectrode 7751, the second sustain electrode 7752, a gate insulatinglayer 3311, the data line DL1, a protective layer 3320, a dummy colorfilter layer 8801, an insulating interlayer 3325, a light blocking layer3376, a column spacer 9901, an optical control layer such as a liquidcrystal layer 3333 and a common electrode 3330 are located between thefirst substrate 101 and the second substrate 102.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 14, the gate line GL is positioned on thefirst substrate 101. In an embodiment, for example, the gate line GL islocated between a first sub-pixel area and a second sub-pixel area ofthe first substrate 101. Such sub-pixel areas correspond to the firstsub-pixel electrode PE1 and the second sub-pixel electrode PE2. Thedisplay device, the display panel 100, the first substrate 101 and/orthe second substrate 102 may be considered as including the pixel PX andthe sub-pixel area described above.

The first gate electrode GE1 may have a shape protruding from a mainportion of the gate line GL, as illustrated in FIG. 11. The first gateelectrode GE1 may be a portion of the gate line GL. That is, one of thefirst gate electrode GE1 and the gate line GL may extend to define theother one of the first gate electrode GE1 and the gate line GL. Suchextending portions may also be used to define portions of otherstructures described herein.

The first gate electrode GE1 may include a substantially same materialand may have a substantially same structure (a multilayer structure) asthose of the gate line GL. The first gate electrode GE1 and the gateline GL may be substantially simultaneously formed in a substantiallysame process. As being formed in a same process, the first gateelectrode GE1 and the gate line GL may be disposed in a same layer amongthose layers disposed on and/or within the first substrate 101. Suchsame-layer configuration may also be used to describe other elementsdescribed herein as being simultaneously formed in a substantially sameprocess.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the second gate electrode GE2 may have ashape protruding from the gate line GL. The second gate electrode GE2may be a portion of the gate line GL.

The second gate electrode GE2 may include a substantially same materialand may have a substantially same structure (a multilayer structure) asthose of the gate line GL. The second gate electrode GE2 and the gateline GL may be substantially simultaneously formed in a substantiallysame process.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the third gate electrode GE3 may have a shapeprotruding from the gate line GL. The third gate electrode GE3 may be aportion of the gate line GL.

The third gate electrode GE3 may include a substantially same materialand may have a substantially same structure (a multilayer structure) asthose of the gate line GL. The third gate electrode GE3 and the gateline GL may be substantially simultaneously formed in a substantiallysame process.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the first sustain electrode 7751 encloses thefirst sub-pixel electrode PE1 in a top plan view. In such an embodiment,the first sustain electrode 7751 overlaps an edge of the first sub-pixelelectrode PE1.

The first sustain electrode 7751 may include a substantially samematerial and may have a substantially same structure (a multilayerstructure) as those of the aforementioned gate line GL. The firstsustain electrode 7751 and the gate line GL may be substantiallysimultaneously formed in a substantially same process.

The first sustain electrode 7751 receives a first sustain voltage froman external driving circuit (not shown). The first sustain voltage maybe substantially equal to a common voltage.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the second sustain electrode 7752 enclosesthe second sub-pixel electrode PE2. In such an embodiment, the secondsustain electrode 7752 overlaps an edge of the second sub-pixelelectrode PE2.

The second sustain electrode 7752 may include a substantially samematerial and may have a substantially same structure (a multilayerstructure) as those of the aforementioned gate line GL. The secondsustain electrode 7752 and the gate line GL may be substantiallysimultaneously formed in a substantially same process.

The second sustain electrode 7752 receives a second sustain voltage froman external driving circuit (not shown). The second sustain voltage maybe substantially equal to the common voltage. In an embodiment, secondsustain electrodes 7752 of pixels PX adjacent to one another along thegate line GL may be connected to one another. In addition, secondsustain electrodes 7752 and first sustain electrodes 7751 of pixelsadjacent to one another along the data line DL1 may be connected to oneanother.

As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the gate insulating layer 3311 ispositioned on the gate line GL, the first gate electrode GE1, the secondgate electrode GE2, the first sustain electrode 7751 and the secondsustain electrode 7752. The gate insulating layer 3311 may be positionedover an entire surface of the first substrate 101 including the gateline GL, the first gate electrode GE1, the second gate electrode GE2,the first sustain electrode 7751, the second sustain electrode 7752 andthe sustain line 7750.

The gate insulating layer 3311 has an opening corresponding to a thirdcontact hole CH3 and a fourth contact hole CH4. A portion of the thirddrain electrode DE3 and the first sustain electrode 7751 are exposedthrough the third contact hole CH3, and another portion of the thirddrain electrode DE3 and the second sustain electrode 7752 are exposedthrough the fourth contact hole CH4.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, the data line DL1 is positioned on the gateinsulating layer 3311. The data line DL1 intersects the gate line GL inthe top plan view. The data line DL1 has a length extended along theX-axis direction and a width defined along the Y-axis direction.Although not illustrated, the width of the data line DL1 at anintersection of the data line DL1 and the gate line GL may be less thanthe width of another portion or remaining portions of the data line DL1.The data line DL1 may include a substantially same material as amaterial included in the aforementioned data line DL1.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, the first semiconductor layer 3321 ispositioned on the gate insulating layer 3311. As illustrated in FIGS. 11and 13, the first semiconductor layer 3321 overlaps at least a portionof the first gate electrode GE1. The first semiconductor layer 3321 mayinclude amorphous silicon, polycrystalline silicon, or the like.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, first and second ohmic contact layers 3321 aand 3321 b are positioned on the first semiconductor layer 3321. Thefirst ohmic contact layer 3321 a and the second ohmic contact layer 3321b face each other, having a channel area of the first switching elementTFT1 therebetween.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, the second semiconductor layer 3322 ispositioned on the gate insulating layer 3311. As illustrated in FIGS. 11and 15, the second semiconductor layer 3322 overlaps at least a portionof the second gate electrode GE2. The second semiconductor layer 3322may include amorphous silicon, polycrystalline silicon, or the like.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, third and fourth ohmic contact layers 3322 aand 3322 b are positioned on the second semiconductor layer 3322. Thethird ohmic contact layer 3322 a and the fourth ohmic contact layer 3322b face each other, having a channel area of the second switching elementTFT2 therebetween.

The first ohmic contact layer 3321 a and the third ohmic contact layer3322 a are connected to each other. In an embodiment, for example, thefirst ohmic contact layer 3321 a and the third ohmic contact layer 3322a may be integrally formed into a unitary structure. That is, one of thefirst ohmic contact layer 3321 a and the third ohmic contact layer 3322a may extend to define the other one of the first ohmic contact layer3321 a and the third ohmic contact layer 3322 a.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, the third semiconductor layer 3323 ispositioned on the gate insulating layer 3311. As illustrated in FIGS. 11and 15, the third semiconductor layer 3323 overlaps at least a portionof the third gate electrode GE3.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, fifth, sixth and seventh ohmic contact layers3323 a, 3323 b and 3323 c are positioned on the third semiconductorlayer 3323. The fifth ohmic contact layer 3323 a and the sixth ohmiccontact layer 3323 b face each other with a first channel area of thethird switching element TFT3 therebetween, and the sixth ohmic contactlayer 3323 b and the seventh ohmic contact layer 3323 c face each otherwith a second channel area of the third switching element TFT3therebetween.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, the first source electrode SE1 is alsopositioned on the first ohmic contact layer 3321 a and the gateinsulating layer 3311. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the first sourceelectrode SE1 may have a shape protruding from the data line DL1.Although not illustrated, the first source electrode SE1 may be aportion of the data line DL1. At least a portion of the first sourceelectrode SE1 overlaps the first semiconductor layer 3321 and the firstgate electrode GE1.

The first source electrode SE1 may have one of an I-like shape, a C-likeshape and a U-like shape, in the top plan view. The first sourceelectrode SE1 having a U-like shape is illustrated in FIG. 11, and aconvex portion of the first source electrode SE1 faces toward the secondsub-pixel electrode PE2.

The first source electrode SE1 may include a substantially same materialand may have a substantially same structure (a multilayer structure) asthose of the aforementioned data line DL1. The first source electrodeSE1 and the data line DL1 may be substantially simultaneously formed ina substantially same process.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, the first drain electrode DE1 is positionedon the second ohmic contact layer 3321 b and the gate insulating layer3311. At least a portion of the first drain electrode DE1 overlaps thefirst semiconductor layer 3321 and the first gate electrode GE1. Thefirst drain electrode DE1 is connected to the first sub-pixel electrodePE1.

The first drain electrode DE1 may include a substantially same materialand may have a substantially same structure (a multilayer structure) asthose of the data line DL1. The first drain electrode DE1 and the dataline DL1 may be substantially simultaneously formed in a substantiallysame process.

The channel area of the first switching element TFT1 is located at aportion of the first semiconductor layer 3321 between the first sourceelectrode SE1 and the first drain electrode DE1. A portion of the firstsemiconductor layer 3321 corresponding to or defining the channel areahas a smaller cross-sectional thickness than a cross-sectional thicknessof another portion or remaining portions of the first semiconductorlayer 3321.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, the second source electrode SE2 is positionedon the third ohmic contact layer 3322 a. Although not illustrated, thethird ohmic contact layer 3322 a is also positioned on the gateinsulating layer 3311. The second source electrode SE2 is integrallyformed into a unitary structure with the first source electrode SE1. Atleast a portion of the second source electrode SE2 overlaps the secondsemiconductor layer 3322 and the second gate electrode GE2.

The second source electrode SE2 may have one of an I-like shape, aC-like shape and a U-like shape in the top plan view. The second sourceelectrode SE2 having a U-like shape is illustrated in FIG. 11, and aconvex portion of the second source electrode SE2 faces toward the firstsub-pixel electrode PE1.

The second source electrode SE2 may include a substantially samematerial and may have a substantially same structure (a multilayerstructure) as those of the aforementioned data line DL1. The secondsource electrode SE2 and the data line DL1 may be substantiallysimultaneously formed in a substantially same process.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, the second drain electrode DE2 is positionedon the fourth ohmic contact layer 3322 b and the gate insulating layer3311. At least a portion of the second drain electrode DE2 overlaps thesecond semiconductor layer 3322 and the second gate electrode GE2. Thesecond drain electrode DE2 is connected to the second sub-pixelelectrode PE2.

The second drain electrode DE2 may include a substantially same materialand may have a substantially same structure (a multilayer structure) asthose of the data line DL1. The second drain electrode DE2 and the dataline DL1 may be substantially simultaneously formed in a substantiallysame process.

The channel area of the second switching element TFT2 is located at aportion of the second semiconductor layer 3322 between the second sourceelectrode SE2 and the second drain electrode DE2. A portion of thesecond semiconductor layer 3322 corresponding to or defining the channelarea has a smaller cross-sectional thickness than a cross-sectionalthickness of another portion or remaining portions of the secondsemiconductor layer 3322.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, the third source electrode SE3 is positionedon the fifth ohmic contact layer 3323 a and the gate insulating layer3311. The third source electrode SE3 and the second drain electrode DE2are integrally formed into a unitary structure. At least a portion ofthe third source electrode SE3 overlaps the third semiconductor layer3323 and the third gate electrode GE3.

The third source electrode SE3 may have one of an I-like shape, a C-likeshape and a U-like shape in the top plan view. The third sourceelectrode SE3 having a I-like shape is illustrated in FIG. 11.

The third source electrode SE3 may include a substantially same materialand may have a substantially same structure (a multilayer structure) asthose of the data line DL1. The third source electrode SE3 and the dataline DL1 may be substantially simultaneously formed in a substantiallysame process.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, the floating electrode FE is positioned onthe sixth ohmic contact layer 3323 b. The floating electrode FE does notcontact any conductor or conductive element of the pixel PX other thanthe sixth ohmic contact layer 3323 b. That is, the floating electrode FEis electrically floating as being disconnected from other conductiveelements of the pixel PX. At least a portion of the floating electrodeFE overlaps the third semiconductor layer 3323 and the third gateelectrode GE3.

The floating electrode FE may have one of an I-like shape, a C-likeshape and a U-like shape in the top plan view. The source electrode SEhaving an I-like shape is illustrated in FIG. 11.

The floating electrode FE may include a substantially same material andmay have a substantially same structure (a multilayer structure) asthose of the aforementioned data line DL1. The floating electrode FE andthe data line DL1 may be substantially simultaneously formed in asubstantially same process. In embodiments, the floating electrode FEmay be omitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, the third drain electrode DE3 is positionedon the seventh ohmic contact layer 3323 c. Although not illustrated, thethird drain electrode DE3 is also positioned on the gate insulatinglayer 3311. At least a portion of the third drain electrode DE3 overlapsthe third semiconductor layer 3323 and the third gate electrode GE3. Thethird drain electrode DE3 is connected to the first sustain electrode7751 and the second sustain electrode 7752.

The third drain electrode DE3 may include a substantially same materialand may have a substantially same structure (a multilayer structure) asthose of the aforementioned data line DL1. The third drain electrode DE3and the data line DL1 may be substantially simultaneously formed in asubstantially same process.

The first channel area of the third switching element TFT3 is located ata portion of the third semiconductor layer 3323 between the third sourceelectrode SE3 and the floating electrode FE, and the second channel areaof the third switching element TFT3 is located at a portion of the thirdsemiconductor layer 3323 between the floating electrode FE and the thirddrain electrode DE3. The portion of the third semiconductor layer 3323corresponding to or defining the first and second channel areas has across-sectional thickness smaller than a cross-sectional thickness ofanother portion or remaining portions of the third semiconductor layer3323.

Although not illustrated, the first semiconductor layer 3321 may befurther disposed between the gate insulating layer 3311 and the firstsource electrode SE1. In addition, the first semiconductor layer 3321may be further disposed between the gate insulating layer 3311 and thefirst drain electrode DE1. Herein, a semiconductor layer located betweenthe gate insulating layer 3311 and the first source electrode SE1 willbe defined as a first additional semiconductor layer, and asemiconductor layer located between the gate insulating layer 3311 andthe first drain electrode DE1 will be defined as a second additionalsemiconductor layer. In such an embodiment, the aforementioned firstohmic contact layer 3321 a may be further disposed between the firstadditional semiconductor layer and the first source electrode SE1, andthe aforementioned second ohmic contact layer 3321 b may be furtherdisposed between the second additional semiconductor layer and the firstdrain electrode DE1.

In addition, although not illustrated, the second semiconductor layer3322 may be further disposed between the gate insulating layer 3311 andthe second source electrode SE2. In addition, the second semiconductorlayer 3322 may be further disposed between the gate insulating layer3311 and the second drain electrode DE2. Herein, a semiconductor layerbetween the gate insulating layer 3311 and the second source electrodeSE2 will be defined as a third additional semiconductor layer, and asemiconductor layer between the gate insulating layer 3311 and thesecond drain electrode DE2 will be defined as a fourth additionalsemiconductor layer. In such an embodiment, the aforementioned thirdohmic contact layer 3322 a may be further disposed between the thirdadditional semiconductor layer and the second source electrode SE2, andthe aforementioned fourth ohmic contact layer 3322 b may be furtherdisposed between the fourth additional semiconductor layer and thesecond drain electrode DE2.

In addition, although not illustrated, the third semiconductor layer3323 may be further disposed between the gate insulating layer 3311 andthe third source electrode SE3. In addition, the third semiconductorlayer 3323 may be further disposed between the gate insulating layer3311 and the third drain electrode DE3. Herein, the semiconductor layerbetween the gate insulating layer 3311 and the third source electrodeSE3 will be defined as a fifth additional semiconductor layer, and thesemiconductor layer between the gate insulating layer 3311 and the thirddrain electrode DE3 will be defined as a sixth additional semiconductorlayer. In such an embodiment, the aforementioned fifth ohmic contactlayer 3323 a may be further disposed between the fifth additionalsemiconductor layer and the third source electrode SE3, and theaforementioned seventh ohmic contact layer 3323 c may be furtherdisposed between the sixth additional semiconductor layer and the thirddrain electrode DE3.

In addition, although not illustrated, the first semiconductor layer3321 may be further disposed between the gate insulating layer 3311 anda portion of the data line DL1. In an embodiment, for example, the firstsemiconductor layer 3321 may be further disposed between the gateinsulating layer 3311 and the data line DL1. Herein, the semiconductorlayer between the gate insulating layer 3311 and the different portionof the data line DL1 will be defined as a seventh additionalsemiconductor layer. In such an embodiment, the aforementioned firstohmic contact layer 3321 a may be further disposed between the seventhadditional semiconductor layer and the different portion of the dataline DL1.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, the protective layer 3320 is positioned onthe data line DL1, the first source electrode SE1, the second sourceelectrode SE2, the third source electrode SE3, the floating electrodeFE, the first drain electrode DE1, the second drain electrode DE2 andthe third drain electrode DE3. The protective layer 3320 may bepositioned over an entire surface of the first substrate 101 includingthe data line DL1, the first source electrode SE1, the second sourceelectrode SE2, the third source electrode SE3, the floating electrodeFE, the first drain electrode DE1, the second drain electrode DE2 andthe third drain electrode DE3.

The protective layer 3320 has openings defined corresponding to a firstcontact hole CH1, a second contact hole CH2, the third contact hole CH3and the fourth contact hole CH4. The first drain electrode DE1 isexposed through the first contact hole CH1, and the second drainelectrode DE2 is exposed through the second contact hole CH2.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 14, the first color filter layer 3351 ispositioned on the protective layer 3320 so as to overlap the firstsub-pixel electrode PE1, the first sustain electrode 7751, and the dataline DL1. The first color filter layer 3351 may have a predeterminedcolor. To this end, the first color filter layer 3351 may include apigment corresponding to the predetermined color.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 15, the second color filter layer 3352 ispositioned on the protective layer 3320 so as to overlap the secondsub-pixel electrode PE2, the second sustain electrode 7752 and the dataline DL1. The second color filter layer 3352 may have a predeterminedcolor. To this end, the second color filter layer 3352 may include apigment corresponding to the predetermined color. The second colorfilter layer 3352 has a substantially same color as a color of the firstcolor filter layer 3351.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the dummy color filter layer 8801 may belocated between the first color filter layer 3351 and the second colorfilter layer 3352. The dummy color filter layer 8801 will be describedbelow in more detail.

The first color filter layer 3351, the second color filter layer 3352,and the dummy color filter layer 8801 are not located at the firstcontact hole CH1, the second contact hole CH2, the third contact holeCH3 and the fourth contact hole CH4.

The insulating interlayer 3325 is positioned on the first color filterlayer 3351, the second color filter layer 3352, the dummy color filterlayer 8801, and the protective layer 3320. The insulating interlayer3325 may be positioned over an entire surface of the first substrate 101including the first color filter layer 3351, the second color filterlayer 3352, the dummy color filter layer 8801 and the protective layer3320. The insulating interlayer 3325 has openings defined correspondingto the first contact hole CH1, the second contact hole CH2, the thirdcontact hole CH3 and the fourth contact hole CH4, respectively.

The first sub-pixel electrode PE1 is positioned on the insulatinginterlayer 3325 so as to overlap the first color filter layer 3351. Thefirst sub-pixel electrode PE1 is connected to the first drain electrodeDE1 through the first contact hole CH1.

The first sub-pixel electrode PE1 may include a transparent conductivematerial such as indium tin oxide (“ITO”) or indium zinc oxide (“IZO”).In such an embodiment, ITO may be a polycrystalline or monocrystallinematerial, and IZO may be a polycrystalline or monocrystalline materialas well. Alternatively, IZO may be an amorphous material.

The second sub-pixel electrode PE2 is positioned on the insulatinginterlayer 3325 so as to overlap the second color filter layer 3352. Thesecond sub-pixel electrode PE2 is connected to the second drainelectrode DE2 through the second contact hole CH2. The second sub-pixelelectrode PE2 may include a substantially same material as a materialincluded in the aforementioned first pixel electrode PE1.

A first connection electrode 1881 is positioned on the insulatinginterlayer 3325, corresponding to the third contact hole CH3. The firstconnection electrode 1881 connects a portion of the third drainelectrode DE3 and the first sustain electrode 7751 to each other at thethird contact hole CH3. The first connection electrode 1881 may includea substantially same material as a material included in theaforementioned first sub-pixel electrode PE1.

A second connection electrode 1882 is positioned on the insulatinginterlayer 3325, corresponding to the fourth contact hole CH4. Thesecond connection electrode 1882 connects another portion of the thirddrain electrode DE3 and the second sustain electrode 7752 to each otherat the fourth contact hole CH4. The second connection electrode 1882 mayinclude a substantially same material as a material included in thesecond sub-pixel electrode PE2. As including a same material, the firstconnection electrode 1881, the second connection electrode 1882, and thefirst and second sub-pixel electrodes PE1 and PE2 may be disposed in asame layer among those layers disposed on and/or within the firstsubstrate 101, such as being formed from a same material layer. Suchsame-layer configuration may also be used to describe other elementsdescribed herein as including a same material.

As illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 16, the light blocking layer 3376 isdisposed on the insulating interlayer 3325.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the light blocking layer 3376overlaps the gate line GL, the data line DL1, the first switchingelement TFT1, the second switching element TFT2, the third switchingelement TFT3, the first connection electrode 1881, the second connectionelectrode 1882, the first contact hole CH1, the second contact hole CH2,the third contact hole CH3, and the fourth contact hole CH4. In such anembodiment, the light blocking layer 3376 may further overlap a portionof the first sub-pixel electrode PE1 and a portion of the secondsub-pixel electrode PE2.

From the planar perspective view (e.g., top plan view) illustrated inFIG. 12, a partial area of the pixel PX surrounded by the light blockinglayer 3376 is defined as a light emission area A of the pixel PX. Inother words, the light blocking layer 3376 is disposed in a remainingarea except for the light emission area A of the pixel PX. A light fromthe light source 821 (refer to FIGS. 1 and 2) is emitted to outside thedisplay panel 100 through the light emission area A1 of the pixel PX.Since the optical film 700 is disposed in a light emission direction ofthe display panel 100 (e.g., the Z-axis direction), the emitted lightpasses through the optical film 700.

The light emission area A of the pixel PX may include a first sub-lightemission area SA1 and a second sub-light emission area SA2. The firstsub-light emission area SA1 is disposed corresponding to the first pixelelectrode PE1, and the second output light area SA2 is disposedcorresponding to the second pixel electrode PE2. In the top plan view, asize of the second light emission area SA2 may be larger than a size ofthe first light emission area SA1.

The light blocking layer 3376 may include a photosensitive organicmaterial. In such an embodiment, the photosensitive organic material maybe a photosensitive organic material of a positive type or a negativetype.

As illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 16, taken together with the variousembodiments of the optical films illustrated in FIGS. 3-10, the firstprotruding portions 711 of the first pattern layer 701 and the secondprotruding portions 722 of the second pattern layer 702 overlap thelight emission area A of the pixel PX. In such an embodiment, the firstpattern layer 701 among the first and second pattern layers 701 and 702is disposed closer to the display panel 100 (or the second substrate 102of the display panel 100), and the number of first protruding portions711 among the first protruding portions 711 of the first pattern layer701 that overlap the light emission area A of one pixel PX may be in arange from about 3 to about 15. In other words, in the cross-sectionalview illustrated in FIG. 16, the number of first protruding portions 711that overlap the light emission area A in the Z-axis direction may be ina range from about 3 to about 15. As one example, as shown in FIGS. 13and 16, the number of first protruding portions 711 that overlap thelight emission area A may be five.

In addition, when the first sub-pixel electrode PE1 and the secondsub-pixel electrode PE2 of the aforementioned pixel PX are respectivelydefined as pixel electrodes of the pixel PX, the number of firstprotruding portions 711 among the plurality of first protruding portions711 that overlap a pixel electrode may be in a range from about 3 toabout 15. In such an embodiment, when a portion of the pixel electrodethat does not overlap the light blocking layer 3376 is defined as anon-overlap portion of the pixel electrode, the number of firstprotruding portions 711 among the plurality of first protruding portions711 that overlap the non-overlap portion of the pixel electrode may bein a range from about 3 to about 15.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 14, the column spacer 9901 is positionedon the light blocking layer 3376 so as to overlap the dummy color filterlayer 8801. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the column spacer 9901 and thelight blocking layer 3376 may be integrally formed into a unitarystructure. When the column spacer 9901 and the light blocking layer 3376are unitarily formed as described above, a portion of the unitarystructure overlapping the dummy color filter layer 8801 corresponds tothe aforementioned column spacer 9901.

The column spacer 9901 may include a substantially same material and mayhave a substantially same structure as those of the light blocking layer3376. The column spacer 9901 and the light blocking layer 3376 may besubstantially simultaneously formed in a substantially same process.

A height of the column spacer 9901 depends on a height of the dummycolor filter layer 8801 located below the column spacer 9901, and theheight of the dummy color filter layer 8801 depends on a planar area ofthe dummy color filter layer. Accordingly, the height of the columnspacer 9901 depends on the planar area of the dummy color filter layer8801. As the planar area of the dummy color filter layer 8801 increases,the height of the dummy color filter layer 8801 increases, andaccordingly, the height of the column spacer 9901 positioned on thedummy color filter layer 8801 also increases.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, the height h1 of the column spacer 901 is adistance from a reference surface of the first substrate (e.g., the flatinner surface of the first substrate 101) to an uppermost surface of thecolumn spacer 9901, and is a distance measured in the Z-axis direction.The reference surface of the first substrate 101 intersects the X-axisdirection perpendicularly, such that the reference surface may bedisposed in a plane defined by the X-axis direction and Y-axisdirection. The uppermost surface of the column spacer 9901 refers to oneof surfaces of the column spacer 9901 that is farthest in the Z-axisdirection from the aforementioned reference surface. In an embodiment,the height of the column spacer 9901 may be defined as a distancebetween a reference surface of the second substrate 102 (e.g., the flatinner surface of the second substrate 102) and the column spacer 9901.Herein, the distance between the reference surface of the secondsubstrate 102 and the column spacer 9901 is a distance in the Z-axisdirection.

The height h11 of the dummy color filter layer 8801 may also be definedas a distance from the reference surface of the first substrate 101 toan uppermost surface Si of the dummy color filter layer 8801, and insuch an embodiment, the distance is a distance measured in the Z-axisdirection.

The planar area of the dummy color filter layer 8801 means a size of asurface (hereinafter, “an opposing surface”) of surfaces of the dummycolor filter layer 8801 that is closest to the reference surface of thesecond substrate 102. In an embodiment, for example, as illustrated inFIG. 14, the opposing surface of the dummy color filter layer 8801 facesthe reference surface of the second substrate 102, and is parallel tothe reference surface.

FIG. 17 is a top plan view illustrating another embodiment of one pixelincluded in the display panel illustrated in FIG. 1. The pixel of FIG.17 may have the structure of FIGS. 14-16 described above.

First protruding portions 711 of a first pattern layer 701 may bedisposed to be inclined at a predetermined angle θ with respect to areference line RL, as illustrated in FIG. 17. The angle θ indicates howmuch the first protruding portion 711 is rotated from the reference lineRL in a clockwise (+) or counterclockwise (−) direction. Where thesecond protruding portion 722 is lengthwise extended parallel to thefirst protruding portion 711, the angle θ may also indicate how much thesecond protruding portion 711 is rotated from the reference line RL in aclockwise (+) or counterclockwise (−) direction, without being limitedthereto.

The reference line RL may be a line parallel to one side of a displaypanel 100, for example. As a specific example, the reference line RL maybe any one among four sides of the display panel 100 in the top planview, which is parallel to the X-axis direction.

As another example, the aforementioned reference line RL may be a lineparallel to a longitudinal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) of adata line DL1.

As another example, the aforementioned reference line RL may be a lineparallel to an arrangement direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) of twosub-pixel electrodes PE1 and PE2 that are included in one pixel PX.Specifically, the reference line RL may be a line parallel to a linethat passes through respective center points of the two sub-pixelelectrodes PE1 and PE2.

As another example, the aforementioned reference line RL may be a lineparallel to an arrangement direction of pixels PX that are connected incommon to one same data line DL1.

The aforementioned angle θ may be, for example, in a range from about 5degrees to about 10 degrees, based on a direction of rotation from thereference line RL in a clockwise (+) or counterclockwise (−) direction.In other words, the aforementioned angle θ may be an angle θ between thereference line RL and the first protruding portion 711 that is measuredin the counterclockwise direction from the reference line RL, and theangle θ may be in a range from about −5 degrees to about −10 degrees.

In addition an angle between a length extension direction of the thirddrain electrode DE3 and the first protruding portion 711 may besubstantially the same as the aforementioned angle θ. In an embodiment,for example, an angle between a length extension direction of the firstprotruding portion 711 and a portion of the third drain electrode DE3that is lengthwise parallel to the reference line RL may be in a rangefrom about 5 degrees to about 10 degrees. Specifically, the angle,between the first protruding portion 711 and the portion of the thirddrain electrode DE3 that is parallel to the reference line RL, which ismeasured in the counterclockwise direction from the portion of the thirddrain electrode DE3 may be in a range from about −5 degrees to about −10degrees.

FIG. 18 is a top plan view illustrating an embodiment of a displaydevice including a plurality of pixels having one or more of thestructures illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 16.

FIG. 18 shows four adjacent pixels PX1, PX2, PX3 and PX4 among pixelsincluded in the display panel 100 of FIG. 1. Although not illustrated inFIG. 18, each of the pixels PX, PX2, PX3, and PX4 in FIG. 18 has one ormore of the structures of FIGS. 11 to 16 described above. That is, forconvenience of explanation, repeated description of the elementsincluded in each of the pixels PX1, PX2, PX3, and PX4 in FIG. 18 areomitted.

The first pixel PX1 and the second pixel PX2 arranged along the Y-axisdirection are connected to a same one gate line, and are connected todifferent data lines, respectively. In an embodiment, for example,first, second, and third switching elements TFT1, TFT2, and TFT3 of thefirst pixel PX1 and first, second, and third switching elements TFT1,TFT2, and TFT3 of the second pixel PX2 are connected in common to a samefirst gate line GL1. The first switching element TFT1 of the first pixelPX is connected to the first data line DL1, and the first switchingelement TFT1 of the second pixel PX2 is connected to the second dataline DL2.

The third pixel PX3 and the fourth pixel PX4 arranged along the Y-axisdirection are connected to a same one gate line, and are connected todifferent data lines, respectively. In an embodiment, for example,first, second, and third switching elements TFT1, TFT2, and TFT3 of thethird pixel PX3 and first, second, and third switching elements TFT1,TFT2, and TFT3 of the fourth pixel PX4 are connected in common to a samesecond gate line GL2. The first switching element TFT1 of the thirdpixel PX3 is connected to the first data line DL1, and the firstswitching element TFT1 of the fourth pixel PX4 is connected to thesecond data line DL2.

The first pixel PX1 and the third pixel PX3 arranged along the X-axisdirection are connected to a same one data line, and are connected todifferent gate lines, respectively. In an embodiment, for example, thefirst switching element TFT1 of the first pixel PX1 and the firstswitching element TFT1 of the third pixel PX3 are connected in common tothe one first data line DL1. In addition, the first, second, and thirdswitching elements TFT1, TFT2, and TFT3 of the first pixel PX1 areconnected to the first gate line GL1, and the first, second, and thirdswitching elements TFT1, TFT2, and TFT3 of the third pixel PX3 areconnected the second gate line GL2.

The second pixel PX2 and the fourth pixel PX4 arranged along the X-axisdirection are connected to a same one data line, and are connected todifferent gate lines, respectively. In an embodiment, for example, thefirst switching element TFT1 of the second pixel PX2 and the firstswitching element TFT1 of the fourth pixel PX4 are connected in commonto the one second data line DL2. In addition, the first, second, andthird switching elements TFT1, TFT2, and TFT3 of the second pixel PX2are connected to the first gate line GL1, and the first, second, andthird switching elements TFT1, TFT2, and TFT3 of the fourth pixel PX4are connected the second gate line GL2.

The light blocking layer 3376 defines a light emission area of each ofthe pixels PX1, PX2, PX3, and PX4. In an embodiment, for example, thelight blocking layer 3376 may include a light emission area(hereinafter, “a first light emission area A1”) of the first pixel PX1,a light emission area (hereinafter, “a second light emission area A2”)of the second pixel PX2, a light emission area (hereinafter, “a thirdlight emission area A3”) of the third pixel PX3, and a light emissionarea (hereinafter, “a fourth light emission area A4”) of the fourthpixel PX4. In such an embodiment, each of the first, second, third, andfourth light emission areas A1, A2, A3, and A4 includes a firstsub-light emission area and a second sub-light emission area (refer toSA1 and SA2 in FIG. 13, for example).

The first protruding portions 711 of the first pattern layer 701 and thesecond protruding portions 722 of the second pattern layer 702 overlapthe light emission areas A1, A2, A3, and A4 of the respective pixelsPX1, PX2, PX3, and PX4. In such an embodiment, the first pattern layer701 among the first and second pattern layers 701 and 702 is disposedcloser to the display panel 100 (or the second substrate 102 of thedisplay panel 100), and the number of first protruding portions 711among the first protruding portions 711 of the first pattern layer 701that overlap one light emission area among the light emission areas A1,A2, A3, and A4 may be in a range from about 3 to about 15. In otherwords, as illustrated in FIG. 18, the number of first protrudingportions 711 that overlap the first light emission area A1 may be in arange from 3 to 15.

The number of first protruding portions 711 that overlap the lightemission areas A1, A2, A3, and A4 may be substantially the same as eachother. In an embodiment, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 18, thenumber of first protruding portions 711 that overlap the first lightemission area A1 may be five, the number of first protruding portions711 that overlap the second light emission area A2 may be five, thenumber of first protruding portions 711 that overlap the third lightemission area A3 may be five, and the number of first protrudingportions 711 that overlap the fourth light emission area A4 may be five.In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 18, five first protrudingportions 711 may overlap each light emission area among the lightemission areas A1, A2, A3, and A4.

FIG. 19 is a top plan view illustrating another embodiment of a displaydevice including a plurality of pixels having one or more of thestructures illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 16.

FIG. 19 shows four adjacent pixels PX1, PX2, PX3 and PX4 among thepixels included in the display panel 100 of FIG. 1. Although notillustrated in FIG. 19, each of the pixels PX1, PX2, PX3, and PX4 inFIG. 17 has the structure of FIGS. 11 to 16 described above. That is,for convenience of explanation, repeated descriptions of the elementsincluded in each of the pixels PX1, PX2, PX3, and PX4 in FIG. 19 areomitted.

The first, second, third, and fourth pixels PX1, PX2, PX3, and PX4 ofFIG. 19 are substantially the same as the first, second, third, andfourth pixels PX1, PX2, PX3, and PX4 of FIG. 18 described above,respectively. For convenience of explanation, repeated descriptions ofthe pixels PX1, PX2, PX3, and PX4 in FIG. 19 are omitted.

First protruding portions 711 of a first pattern layer 701 may bedisposed to be inclined at a predetermined angle θ with respect to areference line RL, as illustrated in FIG. 19. The angle θ indicates howmuch the first protruding portion 711 is rotated from the reference lineRL in a clockwise (+) or counterclockwise (−) direction.

The reference line RL may be a line parallel to one side of a displaypanel 100, for example. As a specific example, the reference line RL maybe any one of four sides of the display panel 100 in the top plan view,which is parallel to the X-axis direction.

As another example, the aforementioned reference line RL may be a lineparallel to a longitudinal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) of adata line.

As another example, the aforementioned reference line RL may be a lineparallel to an arrangement direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) of twosub-pixel electrodes PE1 and PE2 that are included in one pixel PX.Specifically, the reference line RL may be a line parallel to a linethat passes through respective center points of the two sub-pixelelectrodes PE1 and PE2.

As another example, the aforementioned reference line RL may be a lineparallel to an arrangement direction of pixels PX that are connected incommon to one data line DL1.

The aforementioned angle θ may be, for example, in a range from about 5degrees to about 10 degrees based on a direction of rotation from thereference line RL in a clockwise (+) or counterclockwise (−) direction.In other words, the aforementioned angle θ may be an angle θ between thereference line RL and the first protruding portion 711 that is measuredin the counterclockwise direction from the reference line RL, and theangle θ may be in a range from about −5 degrees to about −10 degrees.

FIG. 20 is a top plan view illustrating yet another embodiment of onepixel included in the display panel illustrated in FIG. 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 20, a third drain electrode DE3 may not overlapfirst and second sub-pixel electrodes PE1 and PE2. In addition, thethird drain electrode DE3 of FIG. 20 is not connected to third drainelectrodes of other pixels adjacent thereto in the X-axis direction.

The remaining configuration of the pixel illustrated in FIG. 20 issubstantially the same as that of FIGS. 11 to 16 described above.

In an embodiment, the first protruding portions 711 disposed in thepixel of FIG. 20 may be disposed in a substantially same manner as thefirst protruding portions 711 of FIG. 13 or FIG. 17.

FIG. 21 is a view for explaining relative sizes of moiré according tothe angle between the reference line and the first protruding portion711.

FIG. 21 has eleven views respectively representing moiré in elevencorresponding display panels. A stripe pattern in a view indicates thepresence of a moiré image. As illustrated in FIG. 21, the moiré ishardly visually recognized, when the angle θ between the reference lineRL and the first protruding portion 711, in the counterclockwisedirection from the reference line RL is in a range from about −5 toabout −10 degrees. Particularly, the moiré is not visually recognized(labeled “X”), when the angle θ is in a range from about −7 to about −10degrees. A stripe pattern is indicated where the moiré size is medium,such as when the angle θ between the reference line RL and the firstprotruding portion 711, in the counterclockwise direction from thereference line RL is in a range from about 0 to about −5 degrees.

As set forth hereinabove, according to one or more embodiments of theinvention, an optical film of a display device includes a plurality ofprotruding portions, the number of protruding portions that overlap alight emission area of a pixel is in a range from 3 to 15, and an anglebetween the protruding portion and a reference line such as a lineparallel to an extension direction of a data line is in a range fromabout 5 degrees to about 10 degrees based on a direction of rotationfrom the data line in a clockwise (+) or counterclockwise (−) direction.Accordingly, the moiré phenomenon of the display device may besubstantially minimized or effectively prevented.

While the invention has been illustrated and described with reference tothe embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art that various changes in form and detail may be formed theretowithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device comprising: a first substrate onwhich gate lines and data lines are disposed; a second substrate facingthe first substrate; a pixel disposed between the first substrate andthe second substrate, and connected to the gate line and the data line;a light blocking layer disposed between the first substrate and thesecond substrate, and defining a light emission area of the pixel; apolarizer on the second substrate; and a first pattern layer disposed onthe polarizer, and comprising a plurality of first protruding portions,wherein the number of first protruding portions that overlap the lightemission area among the plurality of first protruding portions is in arange from 3 to 15, and an angle between the data line and each of theplurality of first protruding portions is in a range from about 5degrees to about 10 degrees.
 2. The display device of claim 1, whereinthe angle is an angle between the data line and each of the firstprotruding portions measured in a counterclockwise direction from thedata line.
 3. The display device of claim 1, wherein the firstprotruding portions are disposed along a first direction, and each ofthe first protruding portions extends along a second direction thatintersects the first direction.
 4. The display device of claim 3,wherein an upper surface of at least one of the first protrudingportions has a concavo-convex shape.
 5. The display device of claim 3,wherein the first pattern layer further comprises a first projection anda second projection respectively protruding from facing edges of anupper surface included in at least one of the first protruding portions,and the upper surface between the first projection and the secondprojection has a concavo-convex shape.
 6. The display device of claim 4,wherein a concave portion and a convex portion of the upper surface aredisposed along the second direction.
 7. The display device of claim 3,wherein the first protruding portions are disposed at regular intervalsalong the first direction.
 8. The display device of claim 1, whereineach of the first protruding portions has a cross-section of one of atrapezoidal shape, a parabolic shape, and a semicircular shape.
 9. Thedisplay device of claim 1, wherein the light emission area includes afirst sub-light emission area and a second sub-light emission area thatare arranged along an extension direction of the data line, wherein thepixel comprises: a first sub-pixel electrode disposed on the firstsubstrate, corresponding to the first sub-light emission area; a secondsub-pixel electrode disposed on the first substrate, corresponding tothe second sub-light emission area; a first sustain electrodeoverlapping the first sub-pixel electrode; a second sustain electrodeoverlapping the second sub-pixel electrode; a first switching elementconnected to the gate line, the data line, and the first sub-pixelelectrode; a second switching element connected to the gate line, thefirst switching element, and the second sub-pixel electrode; and a thirdswitching element connected to the gate line, the second switchingelement, the first sustain electrode, and the second sustain electrode,wherein a drain electrode of the third switching element connected tothe first and second sustain electrodes overlaps the first sub-pixelelectrode and the second sub-pixel electrode, wherein the drainelectrode of the third switching element overlaps a center portion ofthe first sub-pixel electrode and a center portion of the secondsub-pixel electrode, and wherein the second sub-light emission area islarger than the first sub-light emission area.
 10. The display device ofclaim 9, wherein an angle between each of the first protruding portionsand the drain electrode of the third switching element is in a rangefrom about 5 degrees to about 10 degrees.
 11. The display device ofclaim 10, wherein an angle between each of the first protruding portionsand the drain electrode is an angle between each of the first protrudingportions and the drain electrode measured in a counterclockwisedirection from the drain electrode.
 12. The display device of claim 1,further comprising a second pattern layer on the first pattern layer,the second pattern layer having a refractive index different from arefractive index of the first pattern layer.
 13. The display device ofclaim 12, wherein the second pattern layer comprises a plurality ofsecond protruding portions that protrude toward the first pattern layer.14. The display device of claim 13, wherein the first protrudingportions and the second protruding portions are arranged in analternating manner.
 15. A display device comprising: a first substrateon which gate lines and data lines are disposed; a second substratefacing the first substrate; a pixel disposed between the first substrateand the second substrate, the pixel comprising a switching element thatis connected to the gate line and the data line, and a pixel electrodethat is connected to the switching element; a polarizer on the secondsubstrate; and a first pattern layer disposed on the polarizer andcomprising a plurality of first protruding portions, wherein the numberof first protruding portions that overlap the pixel electrode among theplurality of first protruding portions is in a range from 3 to 15, andan angle between the data line and each of the plurality of firstprotruding portions is in a range from about 5 degrees to about 10degrees.
 16. The display device of claim 15, wherein the angle is anangle between the data line and each of the first protruding portionsmeasured in a counterclockwise direction from the data line.
 17. Thedisplay device of claim 15, further comprising a light blocking layerthat is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate,and defines a light emission area of the pixel.
 18. The display deviceof claim 17, wherein the number of first protruding portions thatoverlap a portion of the pixel electrode that does not overlap the lightblocking layer is in a range from 3 to
 15. 19. The display device ofclaim 17, wherein the light emission area includes a first sub-lightemission area and a second sub-light emission area that are disposedalong an extension direction of the data line.
 20. The display device ofclaim 19, wherein the pixel further comprises: a first sub-pixelelectrode disposed on the first substrate, corresponding to the firstsub-light emission area; and a second sub-pixel electrode disposed onthe first substrate, corresponding to the second sub-light emissionarea.